FISO

The Latest

Jun 5, 2013

Disney’s New Show “Doc McStuffins” Features African American Girl As Main Character

Disney’s new television show Doc McStuffins is about six-year-old Dottie McStuffins who aspires to be a doctor like her mother. With help from her stuffed animal friends, she is able to “fix” toys. The show has received positive reviews and feedback on it’s overall concept as well as it’s portrayal of People of Color in a Disney series.

The show, which was created by Emmy-award winner Chris Nee, premiered on March 23, 2012 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. The show is now on its second season. 

#FISO
May 25, 2013 / 1 note

Queens Poetry: 5 Powerful Poems About Black Women By Black Women

This article, from www.forharriet.com, features five poems written by well-known African American poets.  We found these poems to be very inspirational, and we hope you do, too! 

http://www.forharriet.com/2013/05/queens-poetry-5-powerful-poems-about.html

#FISO
Phenomenal Woman by Dr. Maya Angelou Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies. I say, It’s in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.  I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.  Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can’t touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can’t see. I say, It’s in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.  Now you understand Just why my head’s not bowed. I don’t shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It’s in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, ‘Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me. I’ve always loved this poem, I remember performing it as I auditioned for the drama club in middle school. Dr. Maya Angelous spoke very passionate words as she wrote these words. Written in 1993,  the times were different,  women were different, role models were different, the economy was different (lol). I think every female has the ability to be a “phenomenal women” we just have to put our minds to it. In today’s world I guess it’s just like Beyonce says… Who runs the world? Girls! Or atleast we should! I love this image almost as much as I love the poem, I am going to contact the woman (Jennifer Edwig) of this image and see if I can purchase it and get it framed for my apartment. I LOVE it!
Jan 24, 2012 / 44 notes

Phenomenal Woman by Dr. Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
 
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
 
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
 
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
 
I’ve always loved this poem, I remember performing it as I auditioned for the drama club in middle school. Dr. Maya Angelous spoke very passionate words as she wrote these words. Written in 1993,  the times were different,  women were different, role models were different, the economy was different (lol). I think every female has the ability to be a “phenomenal women” we just have to put our minds to it. In today’s world I guess it’s just like Beyonce says… Who runs the world? Girls! Or atleast we should!

I love this image almost as much as I love the poem, I am going to contact the woman (Jennifer Edwig) of this image and see if I can purchase it and get it framed for my apartment. I LOVE it!

#Fiso #maya angelou #phenomenal woman #black women
Jan 18, 2012 / 2 notes

Within the past 5 months I have become an African American book connoisseur. I have excessively been purchasing inspirational and guide books by African Americans authors. Yesterday, I walked in Barnes and Noble and saw the new Jennifer Hudson book, “I Got This”. This book is a memoir and an in-depth look at her journey to weight loss with Weigh Watchers. Viewing her interview (attached above), details the specifics of her book and why she decided to write one. She discusses why she decided to lose weight, how she has been treated differently because of her weight lost and just a tiny bit of her life growing up on the southside of Chicago. 

I am still debating on if I am going to purchase the book, but my research has sparked a few questions. Why are we as African American’s so indulged with losing weight? Why is it that appearance, in so many avenues dictates how far you will get? I understand and agree that you should look your best when you walk out the house, but no one should not feel pressured to lose weight in order to accepted by their peers. 

I myself, have completed a weight loss journey and it has been strictly for me and no one else. Have I noticed that I have been treated differently? Yes. Have I noticed that stares come more often? Yes. Have I been offered more opportunities? No. I guess that is the difference between Jennifer Hudson and myself. 

Either way, as African American women we need to do things for ourselves and no one else. We must stop looking at Buffy “The Body” and wishing we had her body. We have to stop looking at “The Basketball Wives” wishing we had their money. It is perfectly fine to want more for yourself, but comparing yourself to reality television and unrealistic body images is not the way. 

#FISO